Basketball Wiretap

Mike Krzyzewski believes his experience as a college coach in which the NCAA tournament is a single-game elimination format is a strong attribute for his job as head coach of the United States.

"We know that we're watched closer than anybody," Krzyzewski said. "And I'm the most prepared [coach] to do that, because we've been closely scrutinized for at least 25 years in college basketball. Actually it helps that I'm coming from that environment.

"Another thing I think that helps when we're in these competitions is that one-and-done is what we live all the time, whether it's an ACC tournament or an NCAA tournament. I've been in 150 to 200 one-and-done games."

Rudy Gay took an elbow to the top of his mouth in the third quarter of Team USA's win over Lithuania on Thursday.

"I've got a fracture in my jaw, a broken tooth and am going to probably need a root canal," Gay said. "The top is where I got hit. It's painful. It's uncomfortable, and it still bleeds, so I've got to continuously gargle. It is what it is, man.

"I think (the elbow) had a little bit to do with (the situation afterward)," Gay said. "It was a dirty play, man. It was a dirty play."

Gay had to receive treatment into the night before traveling to Madrid for the gold medal game.

Derrick Rose says he has no issues as a reserve player for the U.S. national team after appearing to be the favorite to start earlier in the summer.

"We have a deep team," Rose said. "And that’s what makes us so good.

"My role is coming off the bench right now. I'm fine with it. I know no second unit can win when I'm on the court or stick me when I'm on the court."

Rose is using the Team USA experience to improve his basketball shape.

"I’m just trying to put that behind me," Rose said of any trepidation he's feeling as he ramps up his comeback from the two devastating injuries that limited him to 10 games over the past two seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

"I know the questions are going to come and they're going to be there the whole year. So I can’t get tired of it. I’m feeling good right now. Just trying to get in better shape, get in better condition, so that when I do need to score the ball, then it’ll be there."